CARE OF BOOKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19384, 20 July 1926, Page 7

CARE OF BOOKS.

dae need not ba a bibliophile to feel sad at. the way, one often sees books treated. This is most apparent in books borrowed from public libraries, which, especially in the case of popular novels, are' sometimes returned in a bad state of dilapidation and defacement. The chief offence is that of turning down the corners of pages, " dog-ears," sometimes to the extent of half the page—a shameful way to treat a book, and a sure sign of lazy carelessness on the part of the culprit. . Underlining sentences, scribbling remarks on the margins, presumably to let others know the opinions of the anonymous reader, are other very frequent misdemeanours indicating conceit of personal views. An amendment of a statement made, or even a flat contradution, might be permissible for the benefit of others if initialled to show some authority, but even then it is objectionable when made on the property of the public. Annotate, by all means, "one's own books, if by so doing passages marked are better impressed on the memory. Books should never bo laid down open, face downwards, even for a short while. It stretches the back, which in time ba* comes loose. A bookmarker should always bo used. Damp affects books badly, and they should never be packed so tightly in their shelves that air cannot pass between them; nor should they be kept where it is too warm, nor directly in the sunshine, »s the covers will certainly fade and warp. Every now and then they should bo removed from the shelves and dusted, unless kept in bookcases with glass doors, which should be left open occasionally to air the volj nines. J If grease of any kind be dropped on a jpago it can be removed quickly by placing | clean piece of blotting paper over the spot and passing a warm flat iron carefully over it, so that the paper absorbs tho grease. A little petrol or benzine carefully applied—away from a naked light, of course—will often do what is necessary. Ink stains will usually disappear if a mixture of salt and water (1 of salt to 6 of water) be applied to them, and dried with blotting paper and a warm iron in the ! same way. Remember that the iron must be warm, and not hot. The care of books in hot climates, especially in the tropics during the rainy season, is a great trial, for not only has one to contend with damp and heat, but with ants and other destructive insects which play havoc with books.